In 1920, the world was recovering from the twin nightmares of the First World War and the so-called "Spanish flu" epidemic. In his successful presidential campaign, Warren G. Harding promised a "return to normalcy." Exactly 100 years later, most table tennis championships around the world were cancelled due to anther coronavirus outbreak. Italy, hit hard in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, was no exception. Over the year, hygienic protocols were developed and tested in European leagues. Players now require negative COVID-19 tests to compete, in addition to self-quarantining in hermetic "bubble" environments. Once players reach the table, they compete like normal, but without switching ends between games or shaking hands after the match. The success of these protocols led to the gradual resumption of international table tennis competition, albeit in highly restricted form. Now, some countries are tentatively resuming their national championships. For example, tdhe Italian Singles Championships were held January 30-31 in Terni's PalaTennistavolo "Aldo De Santis." Renato Di Napoli, president of the Italian Table Tennis Federation, was on hand to witness the glorious resumption of competition. "We are happy to begin the individual activity with the most prestigious Italian championship," said Di Napoli before the event. "To guarantee the health and safety of all the persons who are involved in the event, the anti-COVID-19 behavior protocols will be followed with the utmost care." In the men's singles final, 28-year-old Rech Daldasso, ranked #647 in the world, upset Italian #1 Niagol Stoyanov, world #102, four games to one. It was Daldasso's second national championship, equaling the number on Stoyanov's résumé. Stoyanov and Daldasso, however, both trail women's national champion Giorgia Piccolin (pictured here atop the podium, basking in the unmasked insouciance that retroactively characterizes 2019). The 25-year-old, ranked second in Italy at world #114, carved her name in the history books with a third consecutive title. In the final, Piccolin overcame Chiara Colanoni, Italy's third-ranked player who had upset the national #1 Debora Vivarelli in the quarterfinals. With the win, Piccolin resumes the unbeaten run she she commenced at the Italian Championships in 2018. While the world has changed dramatically during the pandemic, Giorgia Piccolin is campaigning successfully for a "return to normalcy." At least, that is, with regard to the Italian women's singles championship.

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